What is the length of lightning bolts?

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What is the length of lightning bolts?

Dear Tom,What is the length of lightning bolts?— James Torrinson, Chicago
Dear James,
The National Lightning Detection Network, or NLDN, operated by the Vaisala Group, measures the lengths of lightning bolts by utilizing a very high-resolution, three-dimensional detection system that records the emission of flashes in the very high-frequency range. The NLDN has been in place since the early 2000s and has generated some astounding information about the length of lightning bolts.
Meteorologist Ron Holle, a lightning expert with Vaisala, tells us, “The network has measured quite a few flashes over 100 miles long; our current record is 120 miles from a flash that shot from Dallas (Texas) to Ft. Worth. … I don’t think we would have expected that, but there it is!”
The National Lightning Detection Network has generated some astounding information about the length of lightning bolts.